Fellowship Bible Church Sermons

John the Baptist’s Prison Depression

October 24, 2021 AM, Matthew 11:20-24.In this message, we learn about John the Baptist's imprisonment, and see the effect of it on his spirit. He was disillusioned with what was happening and wanted confirmation that indeed Jesus was the Christ. Jesus gave him that confirmation. We saw a similar episode of depression in Elijah's life in 1 Kings 19:1-18. From these portions of God's word, we glean a "prescription" for depression: (1) Treat the body with rest and nourishment as needed. (2) Continue to serve God. (3) Reflect on what God is doing in the world—in your world.
Our Scripture reading was in Ezekiel 15:1-16:14.

The Coming Judgment on Edom, Part 3

October 24, 2021 SS, Obadiah.In this message speaker James Widgeon leads our study in the first six verses in the book of Obadiah. The Lord speaks through the prophet that judgement has come to Edom and her ruin has been brought through the nations sins and would be utterly destroyed.

Commissioning of the 12, Part 4

October 20, 2021 PM, Matthew 10:23-42.In this message Pastor Matt leads our continued study in the book of Matthew, chapter ten, where we read about the dangers the twelve disciples were to face as well as the blessings God would give to each disciple for their work on proclaiming His gospel. The gospel work is a never ending task. Christians will face many enemies of God, but the enemies of the gospel will be sorry they did not listen to His message, and will face great judgement for not listening and for turning others away from Christ. The Lord reminds us to not fear man who can only kill the body, but fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in . Those who are more concerned with the things of their family than the things of God are not worthy of Him. The Lord makes it very clear that we are to follow Him and put Him before all things.

Commissioning of the 12, Part 3

October 17, 2021 PM, Matthew 10:12-23.In this message Pastor Matt leads our continued study in the book of Matthew, focused on chapter 10, where we see whoever rejected the message of the apostles were considered pagan and to share the gospel with those who would here. The apostles were sent as sheep among wolves and were told by God to be as harmless as doves but wise as serpents. The apostles were to mirror Christ in their efforts in sharing His message. With Jesus fulfilling the old law, Christians today must solely trust in the Holy Spirit when they must defend their faith or during persecution. Those who fear God do not have to fear anyone else.
Our Scripture reading was found in 1 Chronicles 14:1-17.

Commissioning of the 12, Part 2

October 17, 2021 AM, Matthew 10:1-14.In this message Pastor Matt leads our continued study in the book of Matthew, focused on chapter 10, where we see the kingdom commission of the 12 disciples is not the same as the Great Commission. This will become clear as we carefully read the text. Even so, there are similarities in the missions and surrounding conditions from which we can learn much. Jesus gave his disciples spiritual power akin to what He himself exercised: 1. To cast out demons, 2. To heal all kinds of sickness and disease, and 3. To raise people from the dead. It is hard to imagine how this looked, and how it felt to the disciples. How could they suddenly have the authority to fix people’s illnesses, and call back spirits from the afterlife, and cast out demons? It became part of their spiritual existence. It did not change their physical constitution but it must have “felt” strange. II. Disciples Named, 10:2-4. There were twelve men selected by Jesus for special ministry. They are named elsewhere in Scripture as well.The target audience v. 5-6. They are told to go only to Israel. This is where it becomes clear that the kingdom commission of the 12 disciples is not the same as the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 and parallel passages. There, the disciples are told to go to all nations. Here, they are specifically commanded not to go to all nations! This is important for those who attempt to take from this passage a mandate to heal and cast out demons and so forth. That was for that time and those disciples in that place. It is not the “all nations” Great Commission that simply told the disciples to focus on making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey the Lord’s instructions. The message, v. 7. They were to preach, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The kingdom has come near to the nation in the person of their Messiah King, and they must respond with…what? This summary statement does not say, but we know exactly what it is from earlier in Matthew’s gospel. The called-for response is exactly what the Lord and John the Baptist before Him said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17). This was at once a joyful message, because God was offering to establish His kingdom on earth; and it was a convicting message, because the subjects of the kingdom had to deal with their sin which separated them from their King. The authentication, v. 8a. To back up their message, they were commanded to heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons. They were to use the power that Jesus gave to them to the full. The message with the main course. The miracles were the proof that the meal was real. The free ministry, v. 8b. They were told to give it everything they could They had received freely, and they were now to distribute it freely. They would take the Lord’s delegated authority and multiply its benefits throughout the nation of Israel. They were not to charge for their “services.” You can imagine someone who could heal others might charge exorbitant fees if they were greedy.
Our Scripture reading was found in Ezekiel 14:1-23.

The Coming Judgement on Edom, Part 2

October 17, 2021 SS, Obadiah 1:1-6.In this message speaker James Widgeon leads our study in the first six verses in the book of Obadiah. The Lord speaks through the prophet that judgement has come to Edom and her ruin has been brought through the nations sins and would be utterly destroyed.

Commissioning of the 12, Part 1

October 13, 2021 PM, Matthew 10:1-8.In this message Pastor Matt leads our continued study in the book of Matthew, focused on chapter 10, where we see the kingdom commission of the 12 disciples is not the same as the Great Commission. This will become clear as we carefully read the text. Even so, there are similarities in the missions and surrounding conditions from which we can learn much. Jesus gave his disciples spiritual power akin to what He himself exercised: 1. To cast out demons, 2. To heal all kinds of sickness and disease, and 3. To raise people from the dead. It is hard to imagine how this looked, and how it felt to the disciples. How could they suddenly have the authority to fix people’s illnesses, and call back spirits from the afterlife, and cast out demons? It became part of their spiritual existence. It did not change their physical constitution but it must have “felt” strange. II. Disciples Named, 10:2-4. There were twelve men selected by Jesus for special ministry. They are named elsewhere in Scripture as well.The target audience v. 5-6. They are told to go only to Israel. This is
where it becomes clear that the kingdom commission of the 12
disciples is not the same as the Great Commission recorded in
Matthew 28:18-20 and parallel passages. There, the disciples are
told to go to all nations. Here, they are specifically commanded not
to go to all nations!
This is important for those who attempt to take from this passage
a mandate to heal and cast out demons and so forth. That was for
that time and those disciples in that place. It is not the “all nations”
Great Commission that simply told the disciples to focus on making
disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey the Lord’s
instructions.
The message, v. 7. They were to preach, “The kingdom of heaven is
at hand.” The kingdom has come near to the nation in the person
of their Messiah King, and they must respond with…what? This
summary statement does not say, but we know exactly what it is
from earlier in Matthew’s gospel.
The called-for response is exactly what the Lord and John the
Baptist before Him said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17). This was at once a joyful message,
because God was offering to establish His kingdom on earth; and it
was a convicting message, because the subjects of the kingdom
had to deal with their sin which separated them from their King. The authentication, v. 8a. To back up their message, they were
commanded to heal the sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, and
cast out demons. They were to use the power that Jesus gave to
them to the full. The message with the main course. The miracles
were the proof that the meal was real.
The free ministry, v. 8b. They were told to give it everything they
could They had received freely, and they were now to distribute it
freely. They would take the Lord’s delegated authority and multiply
its benefits throughout the nation of Israel. They were not to
charge for their “services.” You can imagine someone who could
heal others might charge exorbitant fees if they were greedy.

Fasting, A Girl Restored to Life, Woman Healed, Part 2

October 10, 2021 PM, Matthew 9:14-26.In this message Pastor Matt leads our continued study in the book of Matthew. The pharisees questioned Jesus why His disciples did not fast. Jesus replied that there is a time for fasting and a time for celebration. While the Lord was with the disciples, he told them that it was not the time to fast but to celebrate. When the Lord ascended to heaven this provided means for the disciples to fast, in private. We see Jesus' miracle of raising a girl from the dead and healing a woman of her severe hemorrhage. The ruler of the daughter who died as well as the woman with the severe hemorrhage had faith that Jesus Christ could heal both. Jesus replied to both people that their faith was strong as recorded in the book of Matthew.
Our Scripture reading was found in 1 Chronicles 13:1-14.

Your Fight Against Sin

October 10, 2021 AM, Various.Put to death the sins of the flesh (Col. 3:5). Deal with transgressions very sternly (Matt. 5:29-
30). Think of on this and let me know what you come up with!
For non-Christians, there is only one remedy, and that is to call on the
Lord Jesus Christ. Seek His pardon; turn from your sin—all of it—
and turn to Jesus. This is what the Book means when it says,
“believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Decide to
follow Him instead of your own wicked cravings. He receives
sinners such as you and will forgive and cleanse you and put you
on the path of victory in the battle against sin. You will then be
engaged in the fight. Until then, you have no effective resource in
your battle.
Our Scripture reading was found in Ezekiel 13:1-23.

The Coming Judgement on Edom

October 10, 2021 SS, Obadiah 1:1-4.In this message speaker James Widgeon leads our study in the first four verses in the book of Obadiah. The Lord speaks through the prophet that judgement has come to Edom and her ruin has been brought through the nations sins and would be utterly destroyed.